Pencil sharpener and method of producing it

ABSTRACT

A pencil sharpener ( 1 ) with a handle ( 3 ) and a sharpener insert ( 4 ) inserted into the handle ( 3 ) with a pencil guide channel ( 33 ) and a paring blade ( 34 ) is proposed, in conjunction with which the handle ( 3 ) is formed so as to correspond at least partially to the inner contours of a curved human hand ( 26 ). Improved ease of handling is achieved through the formed handle ( 3 ). Also proposed is a method for the manufacture of a pencil sharpener ( 1 ) of this kind, in which the handle ( 3 ) is formed in subsidiary areas so as to correspond to the inner contours of the human hand ( 26 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a pencil sharpener for sharpening a writingpencil, artist's pencil or cosmetic pencil.

Conventional pencil sharpeners as a rule comprise a sharpener body, inwhich a cone-shaped pencil guide channel is arranged. A paring bladearranged laterally on the pencil guide channel removes material from apencil rotating in the pencil guide channel, which results in sharpeningof the pencil. With a view to receiving sharpening waste, containersharpeners are previously disclosed, in which a sharpener insert with apencil guide channel and a paring blade is detachably attached to acontainer. By detaching the sharpener insert from the container, thelatter can be emptied.

Previously disclosed in GB 359,555A, for example, is a containersharpener, of which the cylindrical container is adapted to the size ofa human hand.

Various utility objects are also previously disclosed, in whichsharpener inserts are integrated in order to offer the possibility ofsharpening in conjunction with the use of the utility object concerned.Accordingly, previously disclosed in GB 2 316 315A is afinger-positioning device, which, when it is gripped, positions thefingers of a human hand for the purpose of manicuring. Introduced at thebottom end of the finger-positioning device is a sharpener insert, whichaffords the possibility of sharpening cosmetic pencils. Also previouslydisclosed in GB 2 308 328A is a saw, in the handle of which a sharpenerinsert is integrated.

In order to sharpen a pencil in the manner described, it is necessaryfor a certain turning moment to be applied by a user in order to causethe pencil to be sharpened to rotate against the paring blade.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to propose a pencil sharpener withimproved ease of handling. A further object of the invention is to makeavailable a method for the manufacture of a pencil sharpener improved inthis way.

The first-mentioned object is achieved according to the invention by apencil sharpener comprising a handle with a central longitudinal axisand a sharpener insert with a pencil guide channel and a paring bladeinserted in the handle along the longitudinal axis, the handlecomprising a base capable of being gripped by a human hand with thethumb and the index finger, the base being provided with a formed thumbsupport groove running partially around the longitudinal axis and lyingopposite it at least one finger support groove running partially aroundthe longitudinal axis.

The invention is based on the notion that the ease of handling of apencil sharpener can be improved by improving the linking of the pencilsharpener to the human user. For this purpose, the sharpener insert isinserted along the longitudinal axis in a handle, which can be grippedfirmly as such by a human hand. The human/tool interface is furtherimproved in that the handle is formed at least partially in order tosuit the internal contours of a curved human hand. In other words, thehandle exhibits at least subsidiary areas that are executed essentiallyin such a way as to be complementary to the inside of a curved humanhand. For this purpose, the handle comprises a base that is capable ofbeing gripped by the human hand with the thumb and index finger, therebeing formed in the base a thumb support groove running partially aroundthe longitudinal axis and lying opposite it at least one finger supportgroove running partially around the longitudinal axis. Because the humanhand is designed as a gripping hand, in which the thumb is positionedopposite the other fingers, the handle is held comfortably and securelyin this way between the thumb and at least one of the other fingers. Itis sufficient for this purpose if the handle extends along thelongitudinal axis and, in the minimal case, for a distance correspondingto the dimension of approximately the width of one finger. In this case,the handle of the pencil sharpener would exhibit a flat base with a moreor less oval cross section, at the edge of which the thumb supportgroove and the finger support groove are formed opposite one another.

Improved transmission of force by the user is achieved through theergonomic design of the pencil sharpener with a handle that is formed insubsidiary areas to suit the internal surfaces of a curved human hand.Compared with conventional pencil sharpeners, a lower force input isrequired in order to achieve the turning moment necessary for thesharpening process. In addition, gripping positions of the pencilsharpener which impair the input of force are avoided. The grip isassured by the forming to suit the human hand. Incorrect grips areavoided. The ergonomic design of the pencil sharpener enables childrenor other users with restricted manual aptitudes in particular to performthe sharpening process easily and without problems. An additionalbenefit is that a handle of this kind combined with the facility of thesharpening process itself means that users willingly pick up the pencilsharpener. Children in particular are encouraged to perform sharpeningmore frequently.

The handle can be formed in principle to suit various subsidiary areasof the curved human hand. Forming is particularly desirable in order tocorrespond to the pressure gripping points via which the human handexerts a force on an object when gripping it. These can be the palms ofthe hands, for example, or the surfaces of individual fingers. If thesurfaces of the handle are formed in the vicinity of the pressuregripping points of the internal contour of a human hand, the pencilsharpener as such will lie comfortably in the hand and will be easilyoperated.

In one advantageous further development of the invention, the handle isextended in the direction of the longitudinal axis, so that a pluralityof finger support grooves running parallel with one another can beformed on the base opposite the thumb support groove. In this way, thebase is formed to suit the internal contour of the human hand at thepoint at which the finger support grooves are formed, in such a way thatthe finger support grooves are separated from one another by interjacentsteps. In this way, the handle fits into the hand that encloses it.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the handle isformed essentially to correspond to the shape of the body formed by theinterior of a curved human hand. For this purpose, the base issurrounded in its longitudinal axis essentially by a first, a second, athird and a fourth wall surface, which wall surfaces are formed in sucha way as to blend softly into one another in the peripheral direction.Each of the four wall surfaces exhibits a specific surfacecharacteristic. The surface characteristic, that is to say the positionand form of the surface in three-dimensional space, can vary, forexample, from wall surface to wall surface in terms of its curvatureboth in the direction of the longitudinal axis and in the peripheraldirection, and also in terms of applied surface structures, such asfinger support grooves. The first wall surface in particular correspondsto a thumb support surface, in which the thumb support groove isintroduced. The second wall surface corresponds to a support surface forthe ball of the thumb and makes contact with the ball of the thumb and,where appropriate, with a part of the metacarpus of the human hand whenthe base is enclosed by it. The third wall surface forms a fingersupport surface, in which the finger support grooves in particular areformed. The fourth wall surface is executed as a peripheral end surface,the dimension of which is determined by the extent of the base. In theevent that the base is capable of being gripped in its entirety by ahuman hand, the fourth wall surface may be arranged so that it formsonly the transition between the first and the third wall surface. If thebase is dimensioned in such a way that it is not capable of beinggripped in its entirety by a human hand, the fourth wall surfacecorresponds to the open part of the base lying between the thumb and theindex finger of the human hand that is not gripped.

To support the ball of the thumb, the second wall surface or the supportsurface for the ball of the thumb is arranged in the form of a saddle.For this purpose, the support surface for the ball of the thumb exhibitsa concave curvature in the direction of the longitudinal axis and aconvex curvature in the peripheral direction.

In one appropriate embodiment, the first wall surface or the thumbsupport surface is also executed in the form of a saddle. In conjunctionwith this, a concave curvature of the thumb support surface in thelongitudinal direction arises as a result of the applied thumb supportsurface. The execution of the curvature of the thumb support surface inthe peripheral direction lies in the range between convex with a smallcurvature and flat.

In one advantageous further development of the invention, the third wallsurface or finger support surface possesses an essentially arched crosssection with a vertex running transversely to the longitudinal axis. Inthis case, the one or more finger support grooves is/are formed inrelation to the vertex, so that the vertex line running parallel to thelongitudinal axis on the wall surface possesses an undulating course.The remaining surface area of the third wall surface is essentiallysmooth. In this embodiment, the finger support grooves together with theinterjacent steps constitute the support surface for the finger area ofthe rear phalanges. These are positioned opposite the thumb in a looselycurved human hand. In other words, pressure gripping points for aloosely curved human hand are formed in the vicinity of the rearphalanges by a base of the handle of this kind, as a result of which anideal input of force can be applied for the purpose of sharpening. Thehandle in this case lies ergonomically in a loosely curved human hand.Incorrect holding of the pencil sharpener is reliably prevented by thefact that the finger support grooves are arranged essentially in thearea of the vertex line of the third wall surface.

As already mentioned, the fourth wall surface serves as a peripheral endsurface. Whereas the first, second and third wall surfaces are formed tosuit the inside of a curved human hand with corresponding dimensioningof the base of the handle, the configuration of the fourth wall surfaceremains open. Depending on whether the first, second and third wallsurfaces are arranged in a clockwise or anti-clockwise sense in theperipheral direction, the result will be a pencil sharpener suitable forleft-handed or right-handed individuals.

An advantage of forming the fourth wall surface similarly to the secondwall surface is that a standardized configuration of the handle will bepossible for both left-handed and right-handed individuals. In thiscase, the fourth wall surface for a left hand forms a peripheral endsurface that is not gripped by the hand. The second wall surface here isformed as the support surface for the ball of the thumb. For a righthand, however, the fourth wall surface at the same time forms a supportsurface for the ball of the thumb and is formed in the shape of asaddle, for example. The second wall surface then performs the functionof the peripheral end surface and is not gripped by the human hand. Thedesign of the handle described here also makes it possible to create astandardized pencil sharpener, which exhibits an ergonomically designedhandle suitable for both left-handed and right-handed individuals.

A projecting upper flat surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axisis appropriately formed on the base of the handle. What is achieved inthis way is that the pressure required for sharpening applied againstthe hand in the direction of the longitudinal axis does not result inslipping of the handle in the hand. This is reliably prevented by theprojecting upper flat surface, since this lies in contact with thecurved human hand when the base is being gripped.

Finger recesses intended to support the thumb and the index finger areappropriately formed beneath the projecting part of the upper flatsurface. Individual pressure points on the human hand, which would beuncomfortable for the user when performing the sharpening process, areprevented in this way. This also leads to an improvement in theinterface between the human hand and the tool.

In order to set down the pencil sharpener, it is advantageous for aprojecting lower flat supporting surface perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis to be formed on the base. If the lower supportingsurface consists of two mutually inclined flat surfaces, it is possibleto economize on material in the handle in this way. At the same time,this design permits the pencil sharpener to be set down in two possiblepositions. It is also possible for a free finger that is not beingguided in a finger support groove to be placed comfortably on theinclined surface.

The sharpener insert is inserted advantageously into the base more orless centrally and parallel to the longitudinal axis. An ideal forceinput by the human hand into the pencil sharpener is achieved in thisway, in order to apply the turning moment necessary for the sharpeningprocess.

In further advantageous embodiments of the invention, the sharpenerinsert is inserted into a bore intended to receive sharpening waste. Forthe purpose of removing the sharpening waste, either the sharpenerinsert can be detachably inserted, or the bore can penetrate the base toits full extent, so that a cover to permit emptying the bore can beapplied to the floor of the base opposite the sharpener insert.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the handle consists of materialspossessing different elasticity. The handle is thus able to exhibit amaterial of high elasticity at the points of pressure on the hand, and amaterial of lower elasticity elsewhere. The softer and more highlyelastic material in this case gives way to the points of pressure on thehand, whereas the harder material with its lower elasticity controls thespecified loading of the handle. An optimal gripping position can bespecified in this way.

The second-mentioned object is achieved according to the invention by amethod for the manufacture of a pencil sharpener, according to which anessentially cylindrical body having more or less the same dimensions asa human hand made from a formable mass is provided with a place holderaligned along the cylindrical axis in order to create room for thesharpener insert, the body being securely gripped manually, for whichpurpose at least a part of the internal contours of a human hand areformed on the body, in conjunction with which the formed body is eitherinserted with the place holder removed, as appropriate, as a roughpattern, with the help of which the handle is manufactured by means of aforming process technology, in particular a casting, pouring, injecting,turning, milling or laser machining technology, or the formed body forthe handle is cured, in conjunction with which the place holder isremoved before or after curing, as appropriate, and in conjunction withwhich a sharpener insert is inserted into the place holder or into theopening created by the place holder.

This manufacturing process makes it possible by simple means to create apencil sharpener that exhibits a handle, which is formed partially tocorrespond to the internal contours of a curved human hand. The handleis created to some extent as an impression of the human hand. For thispurpose, it is possible in a previously disclosed manner to utilize theimpression of a human hand as a basic pattern or a rough pattern forfurther familiar production technologies. In particular, a female mouldor a casting mould can be produced from the rough pattern, by means ofwhich the handle for the pencil sharpener can be manufactured, forexample by plastic injection molding. In this variant, the impression ofthe human hand, once it has been created, can serve as the pattern for aseries-manufactured pencil sharpener.

It is also possible, as an alternative, to manufacture every single oneof the pencil sharpeners in such a way that the body is gripped by thehuman hand of the eventual user him/herself, as a consequence of whichthe user's own hand is formed on the handle of the pencil sharpener. Apencil sharpener that is personal to the user, which fits perfectly inhis or her own hand, is produced by then allowing the formed base forthe handle to cure.

For the purpose of curing the formed body, this advantageously consistsof a kneaded mass made of a thermosetting plastic in soft form, intowhich the human hand can be formed. The body is then cured, for exampleby a thermal treatment, which can be carried out in a domestic oven, ifnecessary. The personal pencil sharpener lies perfectly in the hand ofthe user, the result of which is an excellent force input for thepurpose of achieving the turning moment necessary for the sharpeningprocess. Children in particular are encouraged to perform sharpeningfrequently.

In a further advantageous embodiment, materials of different plasticityare used for the formable mass. By the use of a given distribution ofmaterials possessing different plasticity in the cylindrical body, acertain influence can be brought to bear on the design. In particular,the use of one material possessing higher plasticity and one materialpossessing lower plasticity permits certain points with highdeformability to be obtained, while other points will tend to retaintheir original form. For example, if the material possessing higherplasticity is used on the outside of the cylindrical body, and thematerial possessing lower plasticity is used in the interior of thecylindrical body, the softer material will yield to the hand pressurepoints when it is subjected to forming by the human hand, whereas theharder material will control the forming of the handle as such.

Materials of a kind that exhibit different elasticity in their finalstate can be used in particular in the manufacture of the pencilsharpener.

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are explained in greaterdetail with reference to a drawing, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 to 4 depict in a three-dimensional representation (fromdifferent viewpoints) in each case a pencil sharpener with a handleformed to correspond partially to the internal contours of a curvedhuman hand;

FIG. 5 depicts schematically the pencil sharpener according to FIGS. 1to 4 as it is being gripped by a human hand; and

FIG. 6 depicts as a longitudinal section the sharpener insert integratedinto the pencil sharpener with a bore intended to receive sharpeningwaste.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Depicted in FIGS. 1 to 4 from different viewpoints in athree-dimensional representation is a pencil sharpener 1, whichcomprises an ergonomic handle 3 and a sharpener insert 4 inserted intothe handle 3. The sharpener insert 4 in this case is insertedessentially centrally along the longitudinal axis of the handle 3. Alsorepresented is a pencil 6, in a position in which it is inserted intothe pencil guide channel of the sharpener insert 4 for the purpose ofsharpening. At the same time, the pencil 6 in this case defines thelongitudinal axis of the handle 3 and its base that is capable of beinggripped by the hand.

The base running along the longitudinal axis is surrounded by a total offour wall surfaces with characteristic properties.

In FIG. 1 the handle 3 is depicted in a view looking onto the third wallsurface 7. The third wall surface 7 is executed as a finger supportsurface and for this purpose exhibits applied finger support grooves 8and steps 9 running between the finger support grooves 8. The third wallsurface 7 also exhibits an essentially arched course with a vertexrunning perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, which is defined bythe pencil 6. This can be appreciated from the contour line 10illustrated in the figure. The finger support grooves 8 are applied ineach case to the vertex, so that an undulating vertex line is producedat this point in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The third wallsurface 7 is of essentially flat execution to either side of the fingersupport grooves 8.

Formed on the base of the handle 3 is a flat upper part 11, whichexhibits a peripheral projecting part 12. The flat surface 11 projectsbeyond the base of the handle 3 in the form of the projecting part 12,thereby providing a support surface for the hand gripping the handle.The pressure in the direction of the pencil 6 and in the direction ofthe longitudinal axis required for the sharpening process is readilyachievable in this way.

FIG. 2 depicts the pencil sharpener 1 from a different viewpoint.Compared with FIG. 1, the third wall surface 7 is turned away to theleft. The finger support grooves 8 and the interjacent steps 9 can stillbe appreciated. The viewpoint in this case is at an angle from belowtowards the under side of the upper flat surface 11. In order to preventpressure points, finger recesses 14 are formed in the under side of theupper flat surface 11.

The second wall surface 16 on the base of the handle 3 can beappreciated from the viewpoint depicted in FIG. 2. The second wallsurface 16 is executed essentially in the form of a saddle. The convexcurvature in the peripheral direction and the concave curvature in thedirection of the longitudinal axis and the axis of the pencil can beappreciated. Because the third wall surface 7 or the finger supportsurface is arranged to the left of the second wall surface 16 or thesupport surface for the ball of the thumb, the pencil sharpener 1depicted here is designed ergonomically for a left-handed individual.

At the opposite end to the pencil 6 and the pencil insert 4, the handle3 exhibits a flat, lower support surface 18.

In FIG. 3, the pencil sharpener 1 is again depicted from a differentviewpoint. The third wall surface 7 or finger support surface will nowbe appreciated on the lower edge of the handle 3. It is clear from thisrepresentation that the lower support surface 18 consists of twosubsidiary surfaces that are inclined in relation to one another. Theinclined, upward-facing subsidiary surface 18′ is clearly illustrated inFIG. 3.

The first wall surface 20, in which a thumb support groove 21 is formed,can be seen opposite the third wall surface 7 or finger support surface.The thumb support groove 21 is of essentially flat execution in theperipheral direction. The result on the whole is a saddle-shaped form ofthe first wall surface 20.

The fourth wall surface 23 can be seen between the first wall surface 20and the third wall surface 7. As can be appreciated from the illustratedcontour line 24, this exhibits a convex curvature in the peripheraldirection and a concave curvature in the longitudinal direction. Inother words, the fourth wall surface 23 is embodied similarly to thesecond wall surface 16, namely in the form of a saddle. If aright-handed individual grips the depicted pencil sharpener 1, thefourth wall surface 23 will serve as a support surface for the ball ofthe thumb. The second wall surface 16 in this case lies freely betweenthe thumb and the other fingers and then acts as a peripheral endsurface. The depicted pencil sharpener 1 is thus ergonomically designedboth for a left-handed individual and for a right-handed individual.

The first wall surface 20 with the thumb support groove 21 formed in itcan be appreciated in particular from the viewpoint depicted in FIG. 4.The arrangement of the lower support surface 18 with an inclined part ofthe surface 18′ can also be clearly appreciated.

The pencil sharpener 1 depicted in FIGS. 1 to 4 is depictedschematically in FIG. 5 as it is being gripped by a human left hand 26.The base 31 of the handle 3 can be seen lying in the human hand. Thecontour of the base 31 is constituted by the first, second, third andfourth wall surfaces 20, 16, 7 and 23. In this case, the first wallsurface 20 is in contact with the thumb 29, the second wall surface 16with the ball of the thumb, and the third wall surface 7 with thefingers (of which the index finger 27 and the middle finger 28 arerepresented here); the fourth wall surface 23 serves as a peripheral endsurface. It is not enclosed by the hand 26.

Also illustrated is the upper flat surface 11 formed on the base 31 ofthe handle 3, which is in contact with the human hand 26 on the surfaceformed by the thumb 29 and the index finger 27. The outline of the flatsurface 11 is depicted here as a broken line.

The sharpener insert 4 is inserted in the pencil sharpener 1 centrallyinto the base 31 of the handle 3. The sharpener insert 4 exhibits twopencil guide channels 33 of different diameters. Inserted in each caseinto each of the pencil guide channels 33, which are of conicallytapering execution, is a paring blade 34 for sharpening an insertedpencil.

FIG. 6 depicts the pencil sharpener 1 with an ergonomically designedhandle 3 in a longitudinal section. The sharpener insert 4 with thepencil guide channel 33 and the paring blade 34 is inserted into a bore37 via a cover 35. The bore 37 is accommodated centrally in the base 31of the pencil sharpener 1. The cover 35 is removable for the purpose ofemptying the bore 37 of sharpening waste.

In an alternative represented by a broken line, the bore 37, whichaccommodates the sharpener insert 4, extends as far as the lowersupporting surface 18. The bore 37 here is closed by means of aremovable cover 38. In the variant embodiment indicated by a brokenline, the sharpener insert 4 can be securely mounted in the handle 3.The bore 37 is emptied of sharpening waste by opening the cover 38.

LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

-   1 pencil sharpener-   3 handle-   4 sharpener insert-   6 pencil-   7 third wall surface-   8 finger support grooves-   9 step-   10 contour line-   11 upper flat surface-   12 projecting part-   14 finger recesses-   16 second wall surface-   18 lower supporting surface-   18′ inclined part of the surface-   20 first wall surface-   21 thumb support groove-   23 fourth wall surface-   24 contour line-   26 human hand-   27 index finger-   28 middle finger-   29 thumb-   31 base-   33 pencil guide channel-   34 paring blade-   35 cover-   37 bore-   38 cover

I claim:
 1. A pencil sharpener, comprising: a handle having a centrallongitudinal axis; a sharpener insert inserted in said handle along saidlongitudinal axis, said sharpener insert having a pencil guide channeland a paring blade; said handle having a base configured to beinggripped by a human hand with a thumb and an index finger, said basehaving a thumb support groove formed therein running partially aroundsaid longitudinal axis and at least one finger support groove lyingopposite said thumb support groove and running partially around saidlongitudinal axis; and a lower flat support surface being formed on saidbase, said lower support surface being formed of two substantially flatsurfaces that are inclined relative to one another and configured toallow the pencil sharpener to be set down and supported on a surface indifferent positions.
 2. The pencil sharpener according to claim 1,wherein said finger support groove is one of a plurality of mutuallyparallel-oriented finger support grooves formed opposite said thumbsupport groove and separated from one another by intermediate ridges. 3.The pencil sharpener according to claim 1, wherein: said base issurrounded around said longitudinal axis substantially by wall surfacesincluding a first wall surface, a second wall surface, a third wallsurface, and a fourth wall surface; said wall surfaces are formed toblend smoothly into one another in a peripheral direction; said firstwall surface lies opposite said third wall surface and said second wallsurface lies opposite said fourth wall surface; and said thumb supportgroove is formed in said first wall surface, said at least one fingersupport groove is formed in said third wall surface, and said secondwall surface is formed substantially as a saddle for supporting a ballof the thumb.
 4. The pencil sharpener according to claim 3, wherein saidfirst wall surface is shaped substantially as a saddle.
 5. The pencilsharpener according to claim 3, wherein said third wall surface isformed with a substantially arched cross section having a vertex runningtransversely to said longitudinal axis, said at least one finger supportgroove is formed in relation to said vertex to cause a vertex linerunning parallel to said longitudinal axis on said third wall surface topossess an undulating course, and wherein a remaining surface area issubstantially smooth.
 6. The pencil sharpener according to claim 3,wherein said fourth wall surface and said second wall surface have asubstantially similar shape.
 7. The pencil sharpener according to claim1, wherein said base is formed with a projecting upper flat surfaceperpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
 8. The pencil sharpeneraccording to claim 7, which further comprises, in addition to said atleast one finger support groove and to said thumb support groove, fingerrecesses, configured to support the thumb and the index finger, formedbeneath a projecting part of said upper flat surface.
 9. The pencilsharpener according to claim 1, wherein said sharpener insert isinserted centrally into said base substantially parallel to saidlongitudinal axis.
 10. The pencil sharpener according to claim 1,wherein said sharpener insert is inserted into a bore formed in saidhandle and configured to receive sharpening waste.
 11. The pencilsharpener according to claim 10, wherein said sharpener insert isremovably disposed in said bore to permit emptying of said bore.
 12. Thepencil sharpener according to claim 10, which comprises a closeableopening formed on an underside of said handle to permit emptying of saidbore.
 13. The pencil sharpener according to claim 1, wherein said handleis formed of materials possessing different elasticities.
 14. The pencilsharpener according to claim 13, wherein said handle is formed of afirst material having relatively higher elasticity and a second materialhaving relatively lower elasticity.
 15. A method of manufacturing apencil sharpener as claimed in claim 1, which comprises the followingsteps: providing a substantially cylindrical body of a formable masshaving dimensions similar to a human hand with a place holder alignedalong a cylindrical axis; securely gripping the body manually to therebyform at least a part of the internal contours of a human hand onto thebody to create a formed body; either using the formed body as a roughpattern for manufacturing the handle in a forming process; or curing theformed body to form the handle, with the place holder removed before orafter curing; and inserting a sharpener insert into the place holder orinto an opening created by removing the place holder.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 15, which comprises removing the place holder priorto using the formed body as a rough pattern.
 17. The method according toclaim 15, which comprises selecting the forming process from the groupconsisting of casting, pouring, injecting, turning, milling and lasermachining.
 18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the formablemass consists of a kneaded mass made of a thermosetting plastic, and theformed body is cured to form the handle by thermal treatment.
 19. Themethod according to claim 15, which comprises using materials ofdifferent plasticity for the formable mass.
 20. The method according toclaim 19, wherein a material of higher plasticity and a material oflower plasticity are used.
 21. A method of manufacturing a pencilsharpener as claimed in claim 1, the method which comprises thefollowing steps: providing a substantially cylindrical body of aformable mass having dimensions similar to a human hand with a placeholder aligned along a cylindrical axis to create room for a sharpenerinsert; securely gripping the body manually to thereby form at least apart of the internal contours of a human hand onto the body to create aformed body; either using the formed body as a rough pattern formanufacturing the handle in a forming process; or curing the formed bodyto form the handle, with the place holder removed before or aftercuring; and inserting a sharpener insert into the place holder or intoan opening created by removing the place holder.
 22. The methodaccording to claim 21, which comprises removing the place holder priorto using the formed body as a rough pattern.
 23. The method according toclaim 21, which comprises selecting the forming process from the groupconsisting of casting, pouring, injecting, turning, milling and lasermachining.
 24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the formablemass consists of a kneaded mass made of a thermosetting plastic, and theformed body is cured to form the handle by thermal treatment.
 25. Themethod according to claim 21, which comprises using materials ofdifferent plasticity for the formable mass.
 26. The method according toclaim 25, wherein a material of relatively higher plasticity and amaterial of relatively lower plasticity are used.